“That was a nice one, especially after I missed that first breakaway,” Helm said.

“All three (goals) add up to feeling pretty good.”

The Red Wings hope Helm’s performance is a sign that he’s back to where he was earlier this season, before a series of injuries (shoulder, groin, concussion) caused him to miss 26-of-40 games from Dec. 6 to March 20.

“Injuries have kind of been biting me the last couple of years,” Helm said. “Today’s a night you feel good about your effort, your hard work, getting back and getting ready for the boys and coming out hard. So it’s nice to get rewarded and just keep going.”

Helm’s speed, forechecking, physicality and penalty killing – along with any offense he can provide – could be a huge asset for this club during the final eight games of the season and the playoffs, if it qualifies. He has 10 goals in 34 games.

“His speed is huge, he can get up and down the ice for us,” goaltender Jimmy Howard said. “He’s worked so hard in practice to get back. It’s just great so see someone like Darren go out there and have a game like that for us down the stretch.”

Helm scored shorthanded at 3:05 of the second period to ignite a three-goal outburst that put his team ahead 3-1. He was denied on a breakaway by Jonathan Bernier, but moments later he forced Jake Gardiner to cough up the puck and then went to the net, gathered a pass from Joakim Andersson and beat Bernier on the backhand.

“That was huge,” teammate Jakub Kindl said. “Every time you see Helmer out there, he’s got the speed, so great effort by him.”

Helm made it 3-1 at 7:57 of the second by standing in front of the net when Kindl’s point shot hit his stick and sailed into the net.

“I had a clear shot, it never would have went in if Helmer wasn’t in front of the net,” Kindl said. “Huge credit for him.”

After Helm scored his third goal, he was taken hard into the boards by Cody Franson and needed to get checked by the training staff on the bench. But he still took four more shifts, finishing the game.

“I just got my arm lifted a little high and my arm went a little numb for a bit but it feels all right now,” Helm said.

He said he expects to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena (5 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

Helm hadn’t scored a goal in his past 19 games dating back to Nov. 29.